Impact and evaluation of corrosion in the oil industry environment (H2S) on HSLA X65 steel

Abstract

The oil and natural gas industry is important to guarantee energy resources; however, the concentrated H2S environment generates an acidic environment. This generates acidic conditions for exposed metal structures, especially carbon steel pipes that are widely used, in this case, HSLA steels meet the expectations required by the industry in terms of mechanical efficiency and corrosion resistance. In particular, the X65 grade is already being used in the automotive industry, due to its excellent properties, it is important to evaluate it in terms of corrosion study. The present study shows the behavior against corrosion of X65 steel in the sour gas medium under normal conditions using electrochemical techniques exposed in a saturated H2S environment, the results show a considerable increase in corrosion, and intensification in surface corrosion associated with MnS inclusions, but the corrosion rate is still within safe limits for use in the oil industry.